Georgia’s Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program

Expanding Integrated Housing for Persons with Disabilities in Georgia

Don WattDirector, Office of Program & Public AffairsGeorgia Department of Community AffairsNovember 18, 2014

Program Overview

Georgia was one of 13 states selected in February 2013 through a competitive application process to participate in this new demonstration program that will provide long-term project-based rental assistance to persons with disabilities. $4.1 Million for 5 years of rental

assistance for 134 units

Purpose of the HUD 811 PRA Demo Create long-term affordable rental

units for extremely low income persons with disabilities while also making available appropriate support and services

Access quality rental units integrated within the community

Georgia’s Target Population Individuals with disabilities who are:

Extremely low income (30% of AMI) and below, and Adults aged 18 – 61 years of age, and Are targeted in Georgia’s DoJ Settlement Agreement and

have a severe or persistent mental illness , or Are eligible under Georgia’s Money Follows the Person

(MFP) program and have one or more of the following disabilities: ▪ Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD), ▪ Traumatic brain injury, ▪ Functionally impaired adults with physical disabilities, ▪ Youth leaving psychiatric treatment facilities aged 18-21 with a

primary mental health diagnosis

Interagency Partnership Agreement Tri-Party Agreement to implement program:

Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Department of Behavioral Health and

Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Department of Community Health (DCH)

DCH and DBHDD will provide funding and support services to make it possible for individuals to live in the community in housing of their choice

Property Selection Criteria Established with State Partners

Within Tax Credit Compliance Period

No outstanding compliance issues

Owner & property manager have a demonstrated record of operating success, evidenced by no less than 90% physical occupancy across their respective portfolios

Property is within geographic area of service providers

Property Selection Criteria Within walking distance of established public

transportation

Access to community amenities (grocery stores and other commercial activities)

Capacity to report tenant data and billing information through TRACS and to verify tenant information through the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System

Property includes sufficient efficiency, 1- & 2- bedrooms with rents affordable to households at 50% of AMI or less

Identification of Units

From 3 Pools: Pool 1: Properties Affiliated with PHAs▪ Since 2000, 48 PHA-affiliated developments▪ Shared mission to serve the most vulnerable

populations▪ Experience with HUD programs and systems▪ Access to transportation

Identification of Units Pool 2: Tax Credit Developments Financed

in 2011 and 2012 Rounds Were incentivized to set aside units to

accommodate individuals targeted under the Settlement Agreement

Pool 3: Tax Credit Developments Participating in the Georgia Housing Voucher Program Owners are experienced with population Expand access to limited GHVP if individuals

transition to 811 PRA voucher

To Facilitate Roll-Out, Georgia May… Target to larger communities with public

transportation pending DCH and DBHDD concurrence Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and

Savannah Target to Owners with experience with

TRACS and EIV Target to larger developments so that 15

units or more can be put under one contract But no less than 5 units at a single property

Ineligible Tax Credit Properties Development cannot have an

existing use restriction for persons with disabilities Contracts for Shelter Plus Care PBRA targeted to persons with

disabilities

Properties restricted to individuals aged 62 years or older

Commitment as an Owner:

Rental Assistance Contract – 20 Years Subject to Appropriation After Initial Contract Rents restricted to 50% of AMI

Extended Use Period of 30 Years May be terminated if Congress fails to appropriate

funds

Disperse units throughout the property: May not be restricted to a certain building or floor

Commitment as an Owner:

Compliance with Uniform Physical Condition Standards – Tax Credit Properties already comply

Reporting and Requesting Payment through TRACS

Verifying income through EIV

Davis-Bacon will be applicable if project is not fully complete at time project receives PRA award

Commitment as an Owner:

Compliance with: Environmental Review Accessibility requirements of Section 504

of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Lead Based Paint Requirements

Outreach to Eligible Individuals Service providers, in partnership with DBHDD and DCH,

will make outreach to target population

Case manager and individual will research available 811 properties and individual will make application to property

Property manager will use established screening criteria for property

DCA will maintain wait list for referrals to property

If no tenant identified, vacancy payment for no more than 60 days

Coordination of Services and Support of Tenant at Each Property

DCA , DBHDD, and DCH will work with local service providers and property owner to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for each property detailing how the program will be operated, referral process , support service coordination, process for filling vacancies, Due Process, confidentiality, etc…

DCH and DBHDD will monitor services provided to each tenant Note: Tenant is not required to engage in services as a

condition of the receipt of 811 assistance

Where Are We Now:

DCA and HUD signed Cooperative Agreement with HUD on October 30, 2014

Goal is to have the first 20 units under RAC contract by July 1, 2015, with final 15 units under contract in Spring of 2018 Total of 135 units under this initial contract

Key Next Steps Affirmative Marketing Plan Developed and Approved

by HUD – Due January 30, 2015 Procure TRACS Vendor – assist with reporting and

payment review Establish Internal Accounting Systems. Establish Program Oversight Structure Refine Tenant Referral Processes Establish Local Community Network Training and Education of Local Providers and

Owners within each Community Outreach to and Selection of Property Owners in

target communities

In the Future….

In May 2014, DCA and its partners submitted an application to HUD for $10 million in Round 2 Section 811 Resources that will provide assistance for over 350 units

Award pending HUD announcement of Georgia’s selection.

DCA Program Contacts

Don Watt, DCA: (404) 679-0660 or don.watt@dca.ga.gov

Patrick Brown, DCA: (404) 679-0630 or patrick.brown@dca.ga.gov